Are you a kidney patient? If so, you may be aware of the importance of potassium in your daily life.

Yes, potassium has a significant role in reducing or worsening your situation.

Because of this, it is important to monitor and control your potassium intake on a daily basis. So, how to control your potassium intake? Are you struggling to do the same?

Need not worry anymore. Mykare Health is here to help you understand how to manage the potassium intake in your day-to-day life.

Let’s learn everything, start maintaining the levels and ensure healthy kidneys.

Why Does Your Potassium Level Matter?

The kidneys are responsible for removing excess fluid and waste products from the blood. When functioning properly, they filter 120 – 150 quarts of blood daily, producing 1 – 2 quarts of urine. This helps prevent the buildup of waste in the body and keeps electrolytes (sodium, phosphate, potassium) stable.

When you have kidney disease, your kidneys are not able to regulate potassium effectively. This can lead to dangerous levels of potassium remaining in the blood for long periods of time. Some medications for kidney disease also increase the amount of potassium in your blood.

These high potassium levels usually build up over a long period of time, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional right away.

How To Reduce Your Potassium Buildup?

You have to figure out which foods are low in potassium and which are high in order to do this. Make sure to check the nutritional labels on your food and conduct your own research.

Remember that quantity matters just as much as the food you consume. Any diet that is suitable for kidneys must focus on controlling portion sizes. If you consume too much of anything, even something that is thought to be low in potassium can cause your levels to rise.

Items To Include In Your Diet

Foods with 200 milligrammes (mg) or less of potassium per serving are regarded as low-potassium foods.

Among the foods low in potassium are:

• Apples

• White rice

• Pineapple

• Cranberries and cranberry juice

• Cauliflower

• Eggplant

• Broccoli

• Green beans

• Grapefruit

• Strawberries and blueberries

• White bread

• Egg whites

• Canned tuna in water

• White pasta

Foods to Limit /Avoid

The following foods have a serving size of more than 200 mg.

Limit foods high in potassium, such as:

• Spinach

• Bananas

• Raisins

• Oranges and its juice

• Tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato sauce and tomato juice

• Chicken and Beef

• Brussels sprouts

• Split peas (sweet and normal potatoes)

• Nuts and low-sodium cheese

• Prunes and its juice

• Goods made from milk bran

While lowering potassium-rich foods is vital for people following potassium-restricted diets, it's more crucial to keep your daily potassium intake within the level prescribed by your healthcare professional. It is usually 2,000 mg or less.

You might be able to include foods higher in potassium in your diet in limited amounts. It depends on how well your kidneys are functioning. Talk to your medical professional if you have any doubts about potassium restriction.

How to Remove Potassium from Vegetables and Fruits?

Replace canned fruits and vegetables with fresh or frozen ones. Potassium in canned foods leaches into the can's water or juice. If you consume this juice in your food or drink, it can cause your potassium levels to be high. The high salt content of the juice will cause your body to retain water, which can lead to kidney problems.

Meat juice should also be avoided. If you only have canned foods on hand, drain the juice and throw it away. Rinse the can with water, which can reduce your potassium intake.

If you are cooking a dish that requires a high potassium vegetable and you don't want to substitute it, you can remove some of the potassium out of it.

The National Kidney Foundation suggests the following method to remove potassium in potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots and winter squash.

1. Peel the vegetables and place them in cold water to prevent them from discoloration.

2. Cut the vegetables into 1/8 inch thick pieces

3. Rinse them in warm water for several seconds.

4. Soak the pieces in warm water for at least two hours. Use 10 times more water than the amount of vegetables. If you soak them for longer, change the water every 4 hours.

5. Rinse the vegetables in warm water again for several seconds.

6. Cook the vegetables with five times more water than they contain.

How Much Potassium Is Safe?

Healthy men and women over 19 years of age should consume a minimum of 3,400 mg of potassium daily.

Individuals with kidney disease on a potassium-restricted diet should maintain a daily potassium intake of less than 2,000 mg.

Your doctor will do a simple blood test to determine your monthly potassium millimole per liter of blood.

The three potassium levels are:

• Safe zone: 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L

• Caution zone: 5.1 to 6.0 mmol/L

• Danger zone: 6.0 mmol/L or higher

Can You Eat Out With Kidney Disease?

Eating out with kidney disease can be difficult at first, but kidney-friendly foods can be found in almost any type of cuisine. Grilled or broiled meats and seafood are good choices at most restaurants. Moreover, salads with potato-based sides such as fries, chips, and mashed potatoes, are also safe.

If you go to an Italian restaurant, avoid sausage and pepperoni. You can opt for a salad and pasta with a non-tomato sauce. If you're eating Indian food, opt for curry dishes or tandoori chicken, avoiding lentils.

Always ask for no added salt and ask for dressings and sauces on the side. Some Chinese or Japanese cuisines are higher in sodium. So choose dishes with steamed rice instead of fried rice.

Avoid adding soy sauce or fish sauce or anything containing MSG. You can also avoid deli meats, as they are high in salt.

To sum up, potassium intake management in kidney disease involves maintaining adequate levels to support normal bodily functions and preventing excessive build-up that can lead to serious health problems.

Making dietary changes, carefully monitoring high-potassium foods and working closely with your healthcare provider are essential steps to managing potassium levels effectively.

By taking a personalised approach, people with kidney disease can manage their potassium intake while prioritising overall health and wellness. Remember, managing potassium intake, along with regular medical monitoring, empowers people to lead healthier lives, despite the challenges that come with kidney disease.